JAZZ UK NAMED PUBLICATION OF THE YEAR AT 2008 PARLIAMENTARY JAZZ AWARDS

 

(from l to r: Chris Hodgkins, John Fordham, John Smith, Paul Gambaccini) 

 

It was a successful night for Jazz UK Editor, John Fordham, who collected the award for Journalist of the Year alongside the Publication award, which was presented to John and Jazz Services' Director, Chris Hodgkins, by Musicians' Union General Secretary, John Smith, at the House of Commons. Sponsored by PPL with support from Jazz Services, the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group (APPJAG) Awards were hosted by broadcaster Paul Gambaccini. Many MPs and Peers were present on the night including, RT. Hon. Kenneth Clarke, MP, Baroness Amos and Andy Burnham, MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport who presented the prestigious Jazz Musician of the Year Award to Liane Carroll.

 

The full list of winners who were presented with a Parliamentary Shield on the night, were:

 

Jazz Musician of the Year                                           

Liane Carroll

 

Jazz Broadcaster of the Year                          

Helen Mayhew                          

 

Jazz Venue of the Year                                              

Tithe Barn, Needham, Norfolk

                                   

Jazz Educator of the Year                                           

Dennis Rollins

                                   

Jazz Publication of the Year                           

Jazz UK

                                   

Jazz Journalist of the Year                                         

John Fordham

 

Services to Jazz                                                         

Paul Pace

 

Jazz CD of the Year                                                    

The Amadeus Project - Guy Barker

                                   

Jazz Ensemble of the Year                                         

Empirical

 

   

(from l to r: Jay Phelps of Empirical, Danielle White, Kit Downes of Empirical, Gill Alexander of the Tithe Barn, Liane Carroll, John Fordham, Helen Mayhew) 

                      

Renowned Jazz guitarist John Etheridge and his band the Blue Spirits Trio entertained the large audience with a fantastic half hour set. The winners were then interviewed by Helen Mayhew for her radio programme on Classic FM.

 

"PPL is delighted to continue as the main sponsor of the APPJAG and specifically the Parliamentary Jazz Awards. This prestigious event is becoming increasingly important and we are very proud to be able to champion jazz music and the very talented jazz musicians in this country," said Fran Nevrkla, Chairman and CEO of PPL and VPL. "My congratulations and compliments go to all the winners together with many thanks to Michael and Tony without whose sterling work none of this would happen. A very special thank you must go also to Paul Gambaccini whose unique talent as the regular host of these Awards makes the event so special."

 

The APPJAG has over 100 members from the House of Commons and House of Lords across all political parties. Their aim is to encourage wider and deeper enjoyment of jazz, to increase Parliamentarians’ understanding of the jazz industry and issues surrounding it, to promote jazz as a musical form and to raise its profile inside and outside Parliament. The Group’s officers are Co-Chairs Michael Connarty MP and Lord Colwyn, and Secretary Joan Walley, MP.

 

"More and more members of both sides of Parliament appreciate the vast amount of talent in the music industry and in jazz in the UK," said Michael Connarty MP. "Hopefully when we recognise it, the funding organisations will follow our example and allow jazz to grow and flourish."

 

The nominations for the Parliamentary Jazz Awards were collected with support from Jazzwise, Jazz UK, Jazz Services and the late-lamented DAB station, theJazz.

 

May 14th 2008